Expert Speech-Writing, Expert Copy-Writing

Charles Crawford is an expert speech-writer and writer.

From 1985-87 he served as the official FCO Speechwriter under Foreign Secretary Sir Geoffrey Howe, contributing ideas and possible language then and subsequently for speeches by the Foreign Secretary, members of the Royal Family, successive Prime Ministers as well as different Ministers and others in public life.

In 1987 he wrote the FCO’s first-ever Guide to Speech-Writing, a concise text full of rich real-life examples on how to write speeches - and how to avoid or weed out ghastly clunkers. Two decades after its first version this Guide remains the FCO's core in-house speech-drafting training tool, and has been shared round Whitehall too.

Charles Crawford also is an accomplished public speaker. He has delivered scores of speeches and presentations (including extended passages in Serbian or Polish) in the United Kingdom and abroad (see Public Speaking). He has a wealth of experience in speech-writing techniques needed for a wide variety of occasions: formal gatherings at the highest state level, Parliamentary debates, major policy speeches at home and abroad, plus after-dinner ‘lighter’ remarks and set-piece contributions at seminars and business meetings, not to mention weddings.

As well as drafting many dozen official speeches, articles and interventions over his FCO career Charles Crawford produced a large body of vivid official telegrams and emails, many in an unconventional direct style. His work – some of it controversial or even unwelcome within official circles - has been read and praised at the highest levels in London and in NATO and the European Union. Thus:

·         “outstanding work as speech-writer in Planning Staff, much applauded by Ministers”

·         “fabulously readable and interesting analysis, with practical application … just about the best scenesetter [No10 staff] have ever seen”  

·         “one of the few truly original thinkers in my time [in the FCO] – at his best on pungent analysis and stylish, warm-hearted influencing"

·         “acrobatic and eye-catching in his use of language”

Much of this work dealt with confidential issues of significant diplomatic or foreign policy sensitivity, and will be available to the general public only in many years’ time under normal UK Public Records procedures.

Now his energetic witty drafting and presentational skills are now at long last available on the open market. 

Charles Crawford offers a lively and speedy (and discreet) expert speech-writing and text-drafting consultancy service for professional people who may lack the time and expertise (or perhaps confidence) to draft and deliver a strong, clear, memorable speech or presentation.

And he offers frank and bold suggestions on how existing texts intended either for speeches or for publication in other forms (eg website copy-writing) might be quickly improved.

He will be happy to discuss with no obligation how this might best work in individual cases, including via private writing and speech-writing coaching sessions - contact him directly: mail@charlescrawford.biz